Disk brake



C. S. KELLEY Aug. 31, 1954 DISK BRAKE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 27, 1950 INVENTOR. Cecil S. Kelley BY @di/M f' ATTORNEY C. S. KELLEY DISK BRAKE Aug. 3l, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet v2 m 9mm.

QN. Omi

INVENTR. Z Slelleg @6fm Filed April 27, 1950 ATTORNEY Aug. 31, 1954 C, Q KELLEY 2,687,786

DISK BRAKE Filed April 27, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Cecil Si Kelley ATTOPNE Y Patented Aug. 31, 1954 w i i i in `une accompanyinadrawines i au end viewofuthe improvedbrake appar Wn; i

ompany, a corporation" assembly ofi a railway vehicle` truck* adapted" `to` rollE on the usual rail 2, @and-l referencei nurlieral- 3 `designates the axle lof i the assembly, fthei fv'vheel f I `havinga -liub 54 injWhioh one endloftheaxle is` mounted Reference numeral* 5* transomofthe vehicle truck-l i i f The disc' `brake mechanisin embodying `the in`- i vention comprises `tvvo `annular*` brake i rotors i 0 and` i l "Whioh `are "spaced apartandfj rigidly securediby "cap screws -i|3i`to l l hollow cylindrical bearing` mount i *elementi i mit said rotors'and mount `being secured to thewlieelt hub 4 `by al plurality ofcap screwslillt. viThe'struc ture of therotorsi landil liiconstitute the subject i matter iof my oopendingi applicationy Serial f No;` i 40 158,548,` filed April` 27, i 1950; now Patenti NoiV 2,587,1047 `issued Feb.i26,`1952, and assigned toithe assigneeof` theipresent app1ioation:-.1 am "1 Therotors It and llil are aliketto renderlsarna` interchangeable and to `simplify manufacturel 45 Each rotor t0n l l f iis provided `with `a `hubuportionl Shavingia central bore ii Bo slightly greater diameter than-the usual raised portioniof :fthe axle 3 upon which the `Wheel is `pressed so: that Which-f` even rotor may .be mountedkagainst Jthe Wheelmayf; 50

easilyi slide over any; ofthe `r,aisedportionV ofrzthel` axlel which may extend beyond the end o the wheel hub 4. -Eachrroto :isinmvidesiwith nnnmar machined rasa H l exterminer,

outward from the bore 16J. A machined'annular d 55` 22:11; theretr Il smooth ysurfaceforabearing against the inboard end ofthe Wheelhub N, i the face: 20p engages i an accommodating `rane 0i am annular` surface 1:04,acoommodatentheheads of the `cap screws mi Si, which extend through aligned ibores element l 2 the l ro o1 attivati the attaohr'nent with said rotor.

`Elaclroftlfierotors lll and I coinpriseswafbrak-" ing portion 283Whichjs joinedto the hubportion 3 5 `by a `continuous portion 3i)I which is shaped to give `Strengthj to the rotors. l The braking portion 2Bof each rotor is `provided `With al plurality v L O f l ircumferentially spaced radial openings 32 which @extend from the portion 3 01 to the Outer peripheral edge of the rotor, d Such openings allow fori circulation of airl radially `outvvard threr through for, cooling the braking portion off the" rotor;V1 `Sull"ciroulation lofcair is encouraged by the fan action of Websd which separate'theinner entrances@ the Openings 3 2 The bakin Per? tion sa 0i each roiortis als@ Provided with an annular` radially extending l braking Isurface 36,

are. provided ih ih'brakine priin 28j, erlefof auch slots opening froml tirebraking` surface 35 into aanofthelrllpernfngs` 32 to aidincooling and tobieal; up `the portion of the rotor from` l ope pgs 3u2l'to thebraking" surfaceintot injeiectg DadS" `ne between enen adjacent twn` sions in f dueto heating,

the afpinrautyio; `s'paced abarntegnai braking 0r bife'eksr order" to prevent exicessivestresses Dialer Surface.

Ball'barings 38; arewr'nounted on the 'hollow rotor `coaxally ii/Vith bore [Bintersecting with face |8 at its outer per; I 3 gof the rotor. H) provides `a` `(l which is machined `to offer` a smooth bearing surfacelforsame- On the rotor` peripheral 1 shoulder machined on i l thewhubtat its inboard end to accurately locatel as to be coaxialwith the Wheel L1 lheiacell ontheorotor-I I provides a; smooth.

and cylindrical bearing support into Vsorewthreaded engagement Witlr` l l The bearing;supportelement i2 is thus `clamped between the rotors l0 and H, by l Whichg rotors are therebypaoed apart `and securedpone to the sectional viewoiya releasespring 20 outboard side of the `Wheel ihreushbores thehub into Screwthreaded of l radially extending expansion slots equalin number to; `the number of openings 32,

inner rings 3g and ring 42 are then held retained,

in their proper spacedrelationship by contact with the rotors I and l l when the latter are held.

secured together by the cap screws I3; a shoulder '34 being formed in each rotorforsuchcontact;

The stator assemblage comprises two similar, oppositely arranged, semi-circular castings which are secured together in end to :endnrelation-(Fig. 3), above and below the axle 3, by means ofbolts 5l (and cooperating nuts ,52) yextending through a pair oi outwardly projecting mating anges at opposite sides-oiftheassemblage to form-a con-` tinuous symmetrical casing for disposition between theftwc rotors lll, il when same are secured in place, asshown in Fig. 2. Referring to Fig. 2; each portion ofthe casing is provided on its innerface with a sem.icircular rib, the -two ribs on the'two portions abutting to forman annular rib 51%, ofaxial length equal-substantially to that cf'the spacer ring 42', to t snugly. between the outer rings di) of the ball bearings 38 and thereby accurately locate the casing equidistant from the rotors when the twofsectionsfof the casing are bolted together. At opposite sides of the inner rib 5d., each-casing section is provided with an annular shoulder'l forV seating engagement with the outer ringsliEl-of 'the spaced apart bearings 38. When-the two portions ofthe casing are boltedtogetheras shown in Fig. 3, such casing is clamped to the -outer rings of the roller bearings 3% csothat the wheel-32, and brake rotors Ill, 1 l mayA rotate-relative to the-fassembledcasing which is restrained from rotation by suitable means to -be described hereinafter.

The casing is further provided with an'annular sealing rib Gil, half on each portion of the casing, extending from Veach shoulderES in an axial direction v and l which i projects into-'proximity with l the respective inner faces-'62 formed in each of the rotors it; Il radially outward fromthe shoulders dll to denne a clearancev spacell at opposite ends-oiI the bea-rings 38 through which grease may be admittedlto the bea-rings for lubricating same. A grease-tting or-fittings (not shown) visY provided tocommunicate with thespaces iid, andlto lassu-re-penetrationvof lubricant to the balls and racew-aysof the bearings; the pertinent dimensions of the spacer lring 42 and ribtfl'are such that c-learanceis provided -therebetween which is open to the adjacent ends of` the bearings.

Referring toFigs. -2 andS, each-portion-of Athe casing Vfurther comprises two spaced apart brake cylinders 68 disposed, respectively, above and below the horizontal-centerline of the brakeapparatus and at opposite sides of a mounting bracket *le which is prov-'ded to accommodate novel hand brake `actuating mechanism l2. @ne end of each brake cylinder .68 is closedbyan integral head l, while the opposite end of each isclosed by a removable head 'iS'securedto the casing by bolts 82 to allow for removal and insertionof a pairof opposedbrake cylinder piston assemblages B.

Referring to Fig..2, each of the opposedpiston up'due to. movement of the piston assemblages comprises. a piston head 86 to which is attached a piston thrust rod S8. Each rod 88 extends through a chamber 9c at one side of the piston head Se and through a sleeve 92 inserted in a bore 94 which extends from chamber 90 to the exterior of the casing. The bore 94 is formed in a boss 96 attached integrally to each of the .cylinder heads 16 and .landisof suchlength as will allow forguiding-,support Aof the rods 88 to prevent cooking of the piston heads within the cylinders. Each of kthe chambers at one side of the piston heads 86 is open to atmosphere byfway of an exhaust port IBG in heads '16, 18 to relieve. any pressure which may tend to be built head 86 in the direction' of the chamber 96. A curled hair strainer IUI is suitably mounted in each cylinder headfov-er'the 4exhaust port mi) to prevent entrance of dirt into the chamber 98 when the piston head'is caused to move in its opposite direction away from chamber 90. Intermediate each pair of opposed piston assemblages `Si) in each cylinder 68 is a brake-.cylinder pressure chambery |02- whichcommunicates with the corresponding chamber in every other cylinder 68 by way of a cored passageA W6' and respective drilled openings |08 inthe casing. Removable plugs H0 in screw-threaded attachment with the casing are provided inopening-s opposite the interior ports Hi8-to `provide for the-orig-inal drilling of same. and forI subsequent periodic inspection or cleanout.

The passage |66 luche-portion of the casing communicates With the corresponding passage in the other portion-by'meanslof a pair of openings H4 in the-danses at opposite sides of the casing;

eachpair of openings being in registry when the casing portions are bolted together, as they are shown in=Fig. 3. A1 sealing ring H6 is disposed in. agroove encircli'ng-anlopening IM in one casing portion for sealing engagement with a face of the boltingfflanges-encircling,the correspond'- ing opening to preventleakage of fluid under pressure to atmosphere by way of engaging faces of-the respective casingilange portions.

Referring to Fig. 2, tov prevent leakage of fluidv` under pressure past-.each piston head 86 from chamber H12v into zchamber 951,-a resilient packing cup IZUds'proVided which'i'lts over, the endof the head for slidablersealingV engagement with the inner wall-ofthe cylinder; The -usual'lubricating swab and retaining ringlllaare provided on eachv =piston head. forv storing and distributing lubricant to the ,cylinder walls- The stator assemblage vfurther comprises two spacedfapartannular thrust platesl 24--disposed in the path of "travel .of the -oppositely' arranged pistonthrust--rods 88,` respectively, and-which are: slidablefaidallycf therotorslti, Il on fourtorque y barsl -whichare-'spaced apart, two'above and z two below'thehorizontalgcenter' line of the Vbrake apparatus and'which Vare removably secured byA means orbolts-` I2:8 to: the. casing. The thrust plates 124 are-provided-.both above and below the horizontal center line of the brakeapparatus with shoulders 13.2, :,shown'in Fig. l, for slidablcgcngagementwith adjacentV faces of the respective torqueybarsto allow for such axial movement andiforftransmitting torque from the thrust plates to the stator vcasing whichis ladapted tobe secured againstvrotation.by'provision of aplu'- rality--of pin lugs IBF-spaced about the outer periphery of the `casing Ato beemployed singly or in groupsr for lpi-n conneetioniwith linkage to asstationary member of thevehicle truck frame.

mesme@ p jecting lug which lug is provided with an,.open

ing :.throughrwhich `,the retaining :pin i184 .fmay .ex-

' tend. Thexmountingplate 1Min turn is'provided'W-itha plurality, sevenfor example, of .openingsfor registry lvviththe openings :inthe backing plateflugs; once such' backing plates have been litaomo one i,tace foi'A the trnounting plate. The :retainingipins .l 84 #may :beiinserted -throughthe registering-openings rorn the opposite raceof the monntingrpl'ate.

One end `of each .retaining ,pin .is 4provided with afiflat .head'which11itsina vsocket .formed in 'the mountingl plate lat .each opening and providesv a smoothcentinuoussurface of the mounting plate i B2: for abutmentwithfthe thrusty plate l 2'4` While holding thefretaining pin'inzplace. The opposite projecting. endx-oi` each of the retaining. pins is provided with ,aa-small transversel opening to v,accommodate :cotter :pins F86; or the like. to prevent such :pinsgroinialling outvw-hen--the mounting plate is removedfromfithe brake, as will be describedfsubsequently.

Upon-assembly'of 'the mounting `plate vH82 to the-disc brake; the mounting. plate, including sta-v torabraltefshoes; `may ybe `slipped `in at an angle between .the :respective .rotor and thrust. plate l 24, held'm .sliding contact-With such thrust plate and slidntoabutment with respective, torque lbars l`2 6 andnbehindangers i90. ,attached to the thrust plate. Thefmounting .plate 182 may -at the. same time be slidlon the respective thrust plate I2l to brmgregistryfot corresponding bolt holes in lugs ai 'lvvhichzare :provided `on the thrust plate andronthe.mountingplate. The mounting plate 182; sthen removably. secured in proper position ofthe .thrust plate L24 .by meansof bolts IM insertedrthroughthe registering n openings in vlugs `'Ihausual .nuts are screvved'ontothe bolts and :tightened :tohold the'mounting plate `in engagement `with the :thrustplate Afor movement the 'ev/ith; which purpose the fingers i90. also serve., By 'removalo thebolts its, .each mountingplate lwmay be -slid on the .respective-thrust' platexlltl free ofthe iingers .l 9u, cocked at an angle and slippedaoutno the'xbrake assemblage for -re placement olatshoe. orshoes 413,1., `forexarnple.

'In 'uid'pressure operation of` the disc brake unit.; whenifluid 1.under pressure .is simultaneously t sruppliedto the pressurev chamber m2 ineach of thefburzbrake. cylinderstvia passages m6 and portsalil, theopposedbrake cylinder piston-assemblages Sill-n each brake cylinder Will cause axial slidinginovement of the thrust plates 12d.

ontthe torquefbars 25 to bring'the stator brake shoes |8...carred by; the thrust plates into `fric-v tionalengagement with. the brak-ing surface 36e of the rotors l and Il to causefa' braking force t: bexapplied. for restraining rotationV of the Wheel,

To assure that each brake shoev ldoesits sharer of; the Work in case of variations .in thicknessoi one shoefrorn another, a serpentine-spring plate..4 i 'iani-ay be :inserted between the ymounting plate:liltfiandthebacking plate i-l of each shoe. E-Siprior. to ciippingythe.,backing vplate .onto the.

mount-,ingfplate.; Theserpentne :spring plate is dimensioned .to =tsfairlyisnugly at .its :edges be tvveen'the interlocking iingers rl t3' yandis provided` With-a lug, .correspondingtothe lug on the .backing- Yplate, having theA opening through which' the.

statorxshoestllrurged into frictional engagement with the:.rotors e!ll,'.,lfl by the thrust plates,k |124', the serpentine 4spring plate behind each. shoe backing :plate I8] :Willdeilect tothe extentaswirl'l allow. `allishoes I as .to Iexertrtl'le :same force on'the rotor braking surface regarollessofv slight variance invthiciness of the xindividualstator brake shoes.

Uponrelease .of fluidunder pressure Yfrom the pressure .chambers En inV each brake ycylinder sa; .thefize'lease springsv 15,9 will .effect movement of: the: thrustzplates- Il 2d tocausethe .statorbrake shoeszizer-carried by .suchthrust plates :to 'leave the rotor raking-.surfaces for. a Abrake. release; Withncorresponding .movementof rods 88- and pstonassemblages@ to respective release positions 'lnx-which theyare shoWnin-the drawing, as will; be: appreciated lfromi previous description.

vrllo :provide for supply .and release lof fluid .under'pressure toiandafromthe brake cylinders '68, the usual bra'liecylinder pipe 1in. the form of a enble `hose' 239', for example; :is connected by a fitting .2t-:l to one'zof fourropenings 2&2 topassage iin :the stator casing, two :above `and .two below.

the. horizontal centerline ofthe brake; vfour beingsprovidedfersake .'of'fconvenience. The remainingf-three kunused openings `232 may be closed by y'plugs 2 3%.;

'For*manualoperatonof the disc brake assemblage,v two ydiametrically `opposite manual brake. actuating units fare provided, one on leach portion oibrake stator casing..between the-respective braise-cylinders 53. Each of the Vhand .brake actuating;units ,comprises acap plate 2M). which isr removably ,securedto the respective stator casingiportionbyvmeans cifbolts 2m. The inner side of: theca-p plate Elli) .is vprovided with two Vspaced .integrally attachedarrns 2&2. To each of- 't-hearrns. Eilliapin.connected at204 the closed end of a clevis 2.5.5' the opposite-*open end ofwhichnts around a cam and lever element 205,

leasegspringsfl-E. for engagingI the stator shoes t. with. the braking surface .36 yon'rctorsv Hl, l I

thereby` `eecting-.application lof the-disc brake. To .aat as ,a mediura through-Which the above abutment 'inay'bereectedaa pullrod'Z-IZ is provided.; One end of theepull rod2|2 is 4-pin connectedat lil-.tothe lever ends .of both cam and lever .elenlentssZit-fand.the opposite endof the pull'rodextends .outwardly through an opening 255V in-cap plate 2526-130 the. exteriorv thereof. It will .beappreciated thateachfof the two manual brakeaetuating unitsxmay be -removed as assembled, 4.from .the stator `casingloy removal of bolts 2.552 to .free the plate 2610,. as allparts are :carried by such plate.

The outer projecting end of .each pull rod 2I2 1s provided with ran opening 22M for operable connection vWith.actuating linkage. When .a pulling.,.force..is applied. to the rod ZiZr `and ,same is movedoutwardly of the` plate .20s, the cam and lever .elements.26 willbe. caused to rock about theiry respectivepin connections at 261 Vas 4their connections 2i travel .with the .pull rod 1212 While the ldevises-2 t) 5: simultaneouslyv rock aboutthe pin connections 2ML `Above-rocking movement of the oievises; advances thepinoonnections at 201 toard zth'rustp'latesl', kcarrying thecam .surfaces Zilli-Tinto abutting.. relationship f with. the thrust'. plates,l Whilev the -above rockingl movement.' of 'the cam and leverl elementsfZB/will causerollingJ Such movement ofthethrust plates^|2`4 will car-` ry the stator brake shoesilsn international enl gagement` with` the braking lsurface 36 `of `the i rotors 1| 0 and whereupon continued l outward movement of the `pull rod 2`| 2, Nclevisesl 2051; `and cam'and lleverfelements 2061will` substantially terminate while continuedilapplication of pulling forcewtol-pull rod` 2`|2-willctra`nsmit thrust force to` the stator brake shoesito apply restraining forceftoI the `wheel through frictional engagement between rotor and l stator. `-`Du`e `to symmetry i of the linkalgethrough `which the pulling force on pullrod `2|2` isftransmitted to the thrust plates |24 as,` above described, the force thus delivered eachthrust plate will be equal. It will be seen that due to the nature of the arrangement of clevises 205 and cam and lever elements 206, as pull rod 2|2 is moved outwardly of cover plate 200 equal increments of distance, the pin connections 207 will move apart toward thrust plates |24 decreasing increments of distance. By virtue of the shape of the cam surfaces 2|0 which are simultaneously turned about the pin connections 201 as saine travel apart decreasing increments with equal increment in pull rod travel, the thrust plates |24 in engagement with the cam surfaces will be caused to move equal increments in distance with equal increments in travel of the pull rod. It will be appreciated also that the leverage ratio from pull on the rod 2|2 to thrust on plates |24 will remain constant regardless of the distance which the plates might need to travel before the stator shoes |80 engage the rotors I0, il, which distance will vary with shoe wear. Thus it will be seen that regardless of brake shoe wear, the hand brake actuating units may be depended upon to deliver a certain brake applziction force for any given pulling force on rod Y Upon termination of application of a pulling I10 a pin 223 tothe opposite end 'of the xed `memberfl3'l, while theopposite end of the link 222a. is pivotally connected by means 'of a p`in`22l| `to the 'respective `pullro,d"2|2*`of the lother `brake actuating mechanism." When `the link 222a` is caused to rock in al clockwise direction, as viewed inlthe drawing, about pin 223the respective pull rod '2|2` will bepulled outwardly from the re` spective cover plate 200 tomcause spreading of the ithrustplatesi'l24 f at the respective side of the brake for `altunlying same. Conversely, rocking movement of flink 222a in the opposite directionwill causeinward movement of the respective `pu1l"rod 2I2 for releasing the brake application.

A live lever 220 is provided which is pivotally connected by means of a pin 228 to one end of a pull rod 230 which may be actuated by such as the usual hand brake wheel and interposed linkage (not shown). The oppositeend of the live lever 226 is pivotally` connected by means of a pin 232 to one end of a tie rod 234 extending from one side of the brake to the other. rl'he opposite end of the tie rod 234 is connected by means of a pin 236 to the lower end of the dead lever 220. The end of the link 222a which is connected to the respective actuating unit pull rod 2|2 is also connected by means of a pin 238 to the live lever 220 intermediate its ends. By means of such rigging, by actuation of the, pull rod 230 in one direction both the actuating mechanism pull rods 2|2 may be moved outwardly to effect frictional engagement of the stator brake shoes |80 at both sides and ends of the brake for applying same, while movement of the pull rod 230 in its opposite direction will permit movement of both of the pull rods 2|2 inwardly to release the brake application.

Each of the manual brake actuating units above described is located equidistant between opposite ends of the mounting plate |52 for each force to the pull rod 2|2, action of the release springs on thrust plates, as aforedcscribed will urge movement of same to their respective release positions. Such release movement of the thrust plates and stator shoes |80 carried thereon will be allowed upon return of the manual brake actuating unit parts to their respective release positions, in which they are shown in the drawing, by inward movement of the pull rod 2|2 through opening 2|5 in cover plate 200. C

Typical rigging for operation of both of the two manual brake actuating units on the disc brake is shown in Fig. 1, and such rigging may comprise a dead lever 220 fulcrumed at its one end by a pin 22| to one end of the xed member |31 and connected intermediate its ends by a pin 222 to the projecting end of the pull rod 2 |2 of one brake actuating unit. By counter-clockwise rocking movement of the dead lever 220 about pin 22|, as viewed in Fig. 1, the respective brake actuating pull rod,2|2 will be urged outwardly of the cover plate 200 to actuate the thrust plates |24 for a brake application as will be appreciated from previous description. Conversely, when the dead lever 220 is rocked about pin 22| in the opposite direction, the same pull rod 2|2 will be moved inwardly of the respective cover plate 200 to effect release of a mechanical brake application. Similarly, one end of a link 222a is provided which is pivotally connected by assemblage of stator shoes |30 so that the mechanical brake applying force will be transmitted centrally thereto for even distribution to all shoes.

As an assembled brake unit mounted directly on and carried by the Wheel 2,` such unit may remain `secured to the wheel while same is removed from or pressed onto the axle 3.

As an assembled brake unit on the wheel, the entire brake unit maybe set free of the wheel by removal of the cap screws I4 from the out-l board side of the wheel, the cap screws I3 secur ing the rotors l0, Il and bearing mount for the stator casing together during such operation.

On or off the Wheel, the disc brake unit may be disassembled in part or entirely for any reason such as replacement of parts.

For example, should it be desired to remove the rotor il from the unit, for refinishing the braking surface 3B, 'for replacement, or to expose vthe brake cylinder heads 86, removal of cap screws I3 will free such rotor while recessedA socket head cap screws Ma will hold the rotor I0 and stator casing bearing mount portion together.

Subsequent to removal of the rotor Ill, with stator casing, bearing mount and rotor |05 still assembled, by removal of the respective bolts 82 any or all of the four brake cylinder heads 'i8 may be removed from the stator casing fortremoval, inspection and possible replacement of any of the piston assemblage parts, such as packing cup |20, for example.

With the disc brake assembled as a unit, cap

screws I3 and 14a in place, lthe unit being on or oi the wheel i, and both rotors it, il secured together at opposite sides of lthestator casing, the stator shoe mounting plates 132 lmay `be removed from the thrust plates i125 4for examina tion or the shoes' it carried by these mounting plates in fashion as aforedescribed, that is, by removal of bolts 'itil etc., and replaced-in manner also as aioredescribed.

`Also with the disc 'brake assembled as a unit and either on oroi the wheel, if for any reason it lbe desired to remove the `stator casing, nuts and bolts 5I, 52 shown in vFig'. 3 may be removed to free the two halves of the casing from each other and from the two ball bearings. 3b, which halves may then be slid out from between the two thrust plates H24.

`Again with the disc brake assembled as a unit onor oft thel wheel, with the rotors it, ii and stator casing functionally assembled in place, as aforedescribed, the spring housing hlt may be set free from the thrust plates1 12d by removal of the bolts M2, .either for inspection or replacement of the release springs .ist or topart the two halves of the thrust plates i124. Subsequent to removal of the bolts H52, by removal ci the bolts lit, the torque bars i2@ may be removed from the stator casing to tree the separated halves of the thrust plates lZl for any reason.

Also in manner as aioredescribed, either of the manual brake actuating units may be re-- moved irom the stator casing yas aunit ii desired by removal. of bolts Z i toffree vthecover :plate Bilt.

'Summary It will now be seen that If have provided a relatively simple and improved disc. type brake for use on such. a. railway vehicle. and -which provides for 'facile removal. .and replacement of any of itsparts which are subject to wear withu out requiring removalof. substantially morel than means securing saidiirst annular brake .rotor dir rectl'y'to said. wheel vfor support thereby and rotation coaxially therewith, a cylindrical stator support element, removablemeans `securingsaidstator support element-into abutment atits one end with saidnrst annular bralrerotor for. support thereby and rotation coaxially therewith, a second annular brake roton. removable means securing said secondv annularbralre rotor yto said nrst annular brake rotor and into abutmentwith the opposite end of said stator support element, anti-friction bearing means mounted on saidsupport element, a divided stator casing comprising two sections adapted to nt onto -saidbearing means to form a continuous stator casing between the first and second brake rotors, removable. mea-ns securing two sections of said stator casing together, re-

movable anti-rotation meanssecuringsaid stator,

casingv to said 'truck frame,.a.-plurality of torque bars removably securedt'o said statorcasing and.

spaced circumferentially th'ereabcut, a yfirst annular thrust plate Vcomprising two sections adapted to form acontinuous annular thrustplate disposed between on'e end of said stator casing and said rst annular brake rotor coaxially therewith and retained in such attitudeancl lrestrained from l2- rotation by peripheral' sldable engagement with said torque bars,-a second annular thrust plate comprising twoA sections adapted to form a. continuous annular thrust plate disposed between the opposite end of said stator casing and said secondl annular brake rotor coaxially therewith and retained insuch attitude and restrained from rotation by peripheral slidable engagement with said torque bars, a iirst pair of release spring housing elements, removable means securing said nrst pair of release spring housing elements to said first annular thrust plate' to hold its two sections together, a `second pair of release spring housing elements, other removable means securing said second pair o1 release spring housing elements to said second annular thrust plate to hold its two sections together, a pluralityv of re*- lease spring means arranged to urge the rst pair of release spring housing elements toward the econd pair of release spring housing elements, a plurality of stator brake shoes removably secured to the rst and second annular thrust plates, and a plurality of fluid pressure brake cylinder means carried by said stator casing and disposed between the first and second annular thrust plates for urging same toward the iirst and second annular brake rotors to cause rfrictional engagement of the stator brake shoes thereon withsaid rotors.

2. The combination with disc brake mechanism having a pair of spaced apart brake rotors, and a pair of spaced apart brake stators disposed between said brake rotors and slidable into and out of frictional engagement therewith, of a non rotatable member disposed between said brake stators, a pair of spaced apart links pivotally con-t nected at their one end to said non-rotatable member, av pair of cams pivotally connected to the opposite ends of said links, respectively, for rocking contact with said stators, a pair of levers attached at their one end to said pair of cams, respectively, and an'actuating rod pivotally connected .at its one end to the opposite ends of both of said levers.

-3. .In combination, a pair of spaced apart parallel disc brake stators movable axially, a pair of aligned hollow cylindrical spring housings disposed intermediate and removably secured to said stators, respectively, andprovided with respective annular shoulders at adjacent ends, a rod extending through said shoulders into both of said fhous ings, a pair'of spring seatsassociated with opposite ends of' said rod, respectively, and a pair'of' compression Vsprings disposed in said housings', respectively, 'each of said springs .abutting at its one end 'thev respective annular shoulder and-at its opposite' end the respective seat.

4l. A disc brake mechanism comprising twoV spaced apart coaxially rotatable discs to be braked, an annular nonerotatable structure dis'- posed between said rotatable'discsy andhaving a center linefcoincidentwith the axisiof said discs; a pluralityfofy torquebars carried by said structure and'spaced apart symmetrically about the outer periphery thereof in parallel relationship with said center line tofdenefaplurality of bear'- ing surfaces, two` brake shoecarrying rings fdis posed betweensaid rotatablediscs-and-the opposite sides of saidV structure,'respectively, in slidable cooperation at their outer'peripherieslwithsaid bearing surfaces for supportthereby and transmission 'of torque reaction therebetween, each of said rings comprising. two semi-circular parts oppositely arrangedv in substantial. endi to end abutting relationship with: the abuttedends disposed between said bearing surfaces of the respective torque bars, a rigid member overlying each pair of abutted ends of both rings and secured thereto and having sliding contact at opposite ends with said bearing surfaces on the adjacent torque bars, actuating means in said structure between said rings for moving said rings in opposite directions into braking relation with the respective discs, and stressed spring means disposed between and connected to axially aligned pairs of said rigid members for urging said rings out of braking relation with said discs.

5. A disc brake mechanism comprising two spaced apart rotatable discs to be braked, an annular non-rotatable structure disposed between said rotatable discs, four torque bars carried by said structure spaced apart symmetrically in pairs, two at one side and two at the other of a center line of said mechanism and extending parallel to the axis of said mechanism and each pair having adjacent bearing surfaces, two brake shoe carrying rings in axially-slidable anti-rotatable supported cooperation at their outer peripheries with said torque bars, one of said rings being disposed between each of said rotors and the adjacent side of said structure, each of said rings comprising two semi-circular parts oppositely arranged in substantial end to end abutting relation with the abutted ends disposed between said bearing surfaces of the respective torque bars, a rigid member overlying each pair of abutted ends of both rings and secured thereto, a pair of arcuate brakeshoe means mounted against each ring between, respectively, opposite adjacent ends of the respective rigid members for frictional engagement with the adjacent rotor, opposite end portions of each brake shoe means at their outer peripheries engaging respectively an inner surface of two or said torque bars one at said one side and the other at said other side of said center line, means removably securing each of said brake shoe means to the respective ring, actuating means in said structure between said rings for moving the two rings and respective brake shoe means in opposite directions into braking relationship with said discs, and stressed spring means disposed between said rings and connected to axially aligned pairs of said rigid members for urging said rings and the respective brake shoe means out of braking relationship with said discs.

6. A disc brake mechanism comprising two spaced apart rotors to be braked, a non-rotatable structure disposed between said rotors, two rotatable brake elements, one disposed between each rotor and said structure for frictionally engaging the respective rotor to brake same, said nonrotatable structure comprising two sets of cams disposed at diametrically opposite sides of said mechanism `and each set comprising two oppositely acting cam means engaging respectively the two non-rotatable brake elements, two oppositely arranged pull rods carried by said structure one for actuating each two cam means in unison, two levers, one at either of said sides of said mechanism, carried by said structure and connected intermediate its ends to the respective Dull rod, a tie rod connecting one end of one of said levers to the corresponding end of the other lever, a xed fulcrum for the other end of one of said levers, and means for actuating the other end of the other lever and thereby both levers to actuate both pull rods.

7. A `disc brake mechanism comprising two spaced apart rotors to be braked, a non-rotatable structure disposed between said rotors, a non-rotatable brake element disposed between each rotor andsaid structure for frictionally engaging the respective rotor t0 brake same, a rigid element, connecting means connecting said element to spaced apart portions of said structure for holding said structure and brake elements against rotation, a pair of actuating means carried by said structure substantially diametrically opposite each other in said mechanism and rei spectively spaced from said connecting means, a

rod for each actuating means for operating same and projecting from said structure, two levers carried respectively by said connecting means and connected respectively intermediate their ends to said rods, the said connecting means for one of said levers constituting a fixed fulcrum for one end thereof, an actuating rod connected to one end of the other lever, and a tie rod connecting the other ends of said levers to each other.

8. In a disk brake mechanism, the combination with two spaced-apart coaxially-aligned brake rotors, of an annular non-rotatable structure disposed between said rotors coaxially therewith, a plurality of torque bars symmetrically spaced apart about the outer periphery of said structure and removably secured thereto in equidistant and parallel relationship with the axis thereof, and two annular brake stators disposed respectively in clearance spaces between the two rotors and the opposite ends of said non-rotatable structure and in axially-slidable, non-rotatable, supported engagement at their outer peripheries with said torque bars for advance and retraction toward and away from said rotors.

9. In combination with a railway vehicle wheel having a hub, a first annular brake rotor .in coaxial and abutting relationship with the inboard end of said hub, means removable from the outboard side of Said wheel in securing attachment with said iirst annular brake rotor on the inboard side, a stator support sleeve in coaxial alignment with said first annular brake rotor and in abutment therewith at its one end, means removable from the Opposite end of said stator support sleeve extending in an axial direction therethrough in securing attachment with said lirst annular brake rotor, a second annular brake rotor in coaxial alignment with said stator support sleeve and in abutment with said opposite end thereof and removable means extending in an axial direction through said second annular brake rotor and through said stator support sleeve in securing attachment with said first annular brake rotor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 22,242 Eksergian Jan. 5, 1943 2,136,806 Seeley Nov. 15, 1938 2,174,400 McCune Sept, 26, 1939 2,277,106 Hewitt Mar. 24, 1942 2,402,400 Hewitt et al June 18, 1946 2,416,871 Gaennsle Mar. 4, 1947 2,446,020 Pratt Apr. 20, 1948 2,451,326 Eksergian et al Oct. 12, 1948 2,451,329 Gaennsle Oct. l2, 1948 

